‘Emraan Hashmi’s image from Ground Zero will change image: The story of the biggest operation in Kashmir, the shoot was not possible without the support of BSF

Actor Emraan Hashmi’s film ‘Ground Zero’ is releasing on 25 April. In this film, Imran will be seen in a new style for the first time. The story is from BSF officer Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey and Imran is playing his role.

Excel entertainment is bringing ‘Ground Zero’ based on the true incident on the big screen. The film is being produced by Talisman Production.

Abhishek Kumar and Nishikant Roy of Talisman Production have had a special conversation with Dainik Bhaskar on the film and its production process. Read the major parts of the interview…

In the film, Imran plays the role of BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey.

Question- Where did the idea named Talisman come from? How was its foundation laid?

Abhishek- Talisman means magic i.e. Tilism. We are both heartfelt storytellers. Both of us felt that if we give the name of our company to Talisman, then it will fulfill our dream. The stories that we will make or bring to the audience will have our own magic. Will be able to feel that magic. That’s why we chose this name.

Question- The first film of your production is on the brave saga of BSF. What is the story of Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey?

Abhishek- Both of us have been trending on fact based fiction stories. We are always in search of good stories. Meanwhile, we came to know the story of BSF Commandant Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey. After reading his story, we realized that the operation was done 20 years ago. There is not much coverage in the media on this. Narendra sir and his battalion killed such a big terrorist. We felt that his story has so many ingredients that a good film can be made on it.

We have a friend in Delhi. He met Narendra sir at an event. He called us and told that he had met Sir. He asked if you would like to meet? We caught the next flight and reached Delhi to meet them. When he talked face to face, he told us a lot of stories related to Kashmir.

He told how that round was. At that time there was no army. The BSF was given the house of Kashmiri Pandits, not a content to live. In such a situation, how people used to treat BSF and his family. Then how he carried out such a big planning with the support of local. Hearing all this, we felt that this is a sitting story.

Emraan Hashmi and the producers of the film with Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey at the trailer launch.

Question- The story of Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey is very filmy. Once in the attack, his life was saved from the compensation medal from the DGP. How to balance in reality and fiction?

Abhishek- See, there is some fiction in any story. This story is needed. We were not making any documentary. When you watch the film, whatever you have read, you will see on the screen.

Nishikant- The incident that happened to Narendra Nath ji is such a film that Emraan Hashmi himself was also surprised. He said that this should not happen in the script. The audience will not believe. Narendra Nath ji lived in Kashmir for two years. His two -year -old journey, his investment and an attack on Ghazi Baba is so much drumatic that we do not need to fiction.

Question- Nowadays South Based Action films are more dominated. In such a situation, there is any pressure to show the brave saga of BSF?

Abhishek- I don’t think there is any pressure. We have tried to show a good story on our behalf. We would like the audience to appreciate it and give their love. Our first picture is and we have made a film with full vigor. I would like to name Excel Entertainment here that he showed confidence in our story. He gave us a chance to do a crowd with him.

The first story became an understanding with Excel in Tailing. This film is made with great seriousness and truth. Imran entered the role of Dubey ji. He has made this character very real.

Abhishek Kumar and Nishikant Roy with Imran.

Question- Emraan Hashmi has a different image in the industry. How did their casting happen?

Nishikant- When there is work on the film, no star is decided first. But Excel Entertainment owners Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar were quite a convene over Imran. His trust in Imran also proved to be correct. You must have seen in the trailer. Imran is seen in such a role for the first time. It was also a challenge for him to mold this role.

Abhishek- Imran has worked hard for this character. He spent a lot of time with the BSF jawan. In which environment the young people live, tried to understand it. After understanding the nuances of the soldiers’ life, he molded himself in the role.

Question- The film has been shot at real location. What challenges were received while shooting in Kashmir?

Abhishek- Telling the truth, we too went to Kashmir for this film for the first time. There is no challenge. BSF supported us so much. We shot in BSF Content, Pahalgam. The entire team went to Kashmir laughing like a family and was shot there in fun. Whatever was heard about Kashmir, nothing was seen there. Everything was very normal and organized. I would thank BSF that he supported us so much.

Nishikant- When you live in the city, Kashmir feels like a myth. But the people there are very good and normal. When we went there, the common people also got a lot of support. There was no problem in any way. There was a lot of peace. We saw a completely different Kashmir. We did not see any fear atmosphere there.

Question- Any thing related to Kashmir you would like to tell?

Abhishek- We are giving a message to take Kashmir and the people there through our film. I found an example of this there. One day we had to go to Shankaracharya temple in Kashmir. Our local drives were also Muslims. They also came with us up to the temple. It was in my mind that this is a Hindu temple, I do not know whether they can come or not. But he said that sir, we come here. Whatever tourists come here to visit, we bring all the top.

Question- BSF must be very happy because you are showing the story of his hero on the screen?

Abhishek- Absolutely, this was the biggest and necessary operation in the history of BSF. We are able to show it through the film, so everyone is happy.

Nishikant- Whatever officer was the officer during shooting in Kashmir, we recently shared the trailer. They are very happy and excited. Their long messages are coming, like their film. Seeing their messages, we are getting incarnated.

During the shooting with Narendra Nath Dhar Dubey and BSF jawan.

Question- Excel Entertainment is a big production house. How much support did he get from his joining in the film?

Nishikant- We got a lot of help. When you are new in the industry and bring some different story or realistic story, there is a struggle. Then a partner is needed, who can take your thinking forward. We could not get a better partner than Excel Entertainment. When we were in college, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ came. Today we are less with the same actor, director, this dream is like coming true.

Question- Tell us something about how both of you picked this story.

Abhishek- Our first picture is and we had a lot of responsibility. We took permission for the film, won the trust of Dubey Sir. Initially, one or two people had a conversation about the film but she was not successful. At the same time, we met Ritesh Sidhwani in Excel. The process started after the first meeting. Those people themselves wanted to bring such a film to the audience.

Question- What is Talisman Production going to do next?

Abhishek- There are many stories in our list. Last year we announced a story with Vikas Bahl. It is the story of Brigadier Mohammad Usman, which was also discussed a lot. Work is currently underway on that. Our effort is that we can reach such stories to young generation. They should know how many people have sacrificed for us.

Question- For a long time, Bollywood’s originality is over. On one side there are writers, producers like you, who are bringing small town or realistic films.

Abhishek- For ground stories, one will have to get out of Mumbai. The stories on which we felt that we should do more work, went out of Mumbai. Went to those places, met them. He did a lot of research. Many more things are known by exit. We have found whatever stories we have right now.

Emraan Hashmi with the team in Kashmir.

Nishikant- We have such stories, the places where we have never gone. Due to these stories, we moved to Pakistan Border, North East. These include not only Armed Forces, but also human stories. He has been a great experience.